Daily news roundups

More from Sunday’s big win, Jack’s path, power rankings surge, Casey for Goal of the Week, more news

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Philadelphia Union

Respect earned, another demonstration that the Union have players other than Jack McInerney who can score, the importance of breaking a five-game losing streak against New York that dated back to April of 2011, the significance of Wawa—the storylines continue to flow from Sunday’s eminently satisfying win.

Antoine Hoppenot said of the win, “It feels great. All week we preached about how big of a game this was, not only because it gave us a chance to take second place, but because this is New York. This is our rival. We know how important it is to the fans, and for us it’s just as important.”

At Goal.com, Keith Hickey says, “more than a victory, the game was a symbol of how far Philadelphia has come in a year under Hackworth.”

More match reports and recaps of Sunday’s win from Philly.com, CSN Philly, Delco Times, The Courier-Post, South Jersey Times, The Daily Journal, Examiner, Philly Soccer News, David Murphy, NewYorkRedBulls.com, New York Post, The Star-Ledger, The Gothamist, Empire of Soccer, Once a Metro, SBI, The Guardian, Premier Football News, The Sports Network, UPI, and the AP. Brotherly Game also has a tactical analysis.

Vote Conor Casey for Goal of the Week!

Jack McIneney said of Sunday’s win, “It feels really good. We expected it from ourselves. And I think we sent a message around the league today.” MLSsoccer.com’s John Bolster responded, “So yes, Philly made a statement this week, but it wasn’t as bold as McInerney might hope, and it was quite a bit fainter than the messages emanating from Sandy, Portland and Montreal this week.”

At The Inquirer, Mike Jensen has a must read on McInerney’s path to being one of the most lethal strikers in MLS and possible first senior national team call-up.

McInerney said he had been told that the USMNT would be watching his performance against New York closely to decide whether he would be called up for the Gold Cup team. “I got a heads up that it was kind of going to be based on this performance this weekend. Obviously it would have helped to score. But I’ve obviously proven I can do that…Obviously I would like to make it. But if I don’t make it, it’s not like I’m going to be let down or anything.”

We will know soon if McInerney gets that call-up. Have the Union been discussing what changes will happen if McInerney is away at the Gold Cup. Antoine Hoppenot said after Sunday’s game, “Not even a little bit. We have no idea what’s going to happen. If he goes, he goes and we’ll figure it out…We haven’t really thought about it yet, and when it happens it happens and we’ll figure it out. It’s normal. Just nothing different. You can’t do anything about it because there’s nothing to do so you’ve just got to prepare just like any other day.”

Another player who may get a chance to step up if McInerney is with the USMNT is Aaron Wheeler. The Union website has a Q&A with the forward.

ProSoccerTalk looks at why McInerney should be able to keep up his impressive scoring rate.

Zac MacMath picked up his fifth shutout of the season on Sunday. He said of the signing of Oka Nikolov, “I think it’ll be great to bring in a really experienced goalkeeper whose played in one of the best leagues in the world for 19 years. I think this locker room needs a guy like that with that kind of experience and that amount of games under his belt. So regardless of if he’s playing or I’m playing, it’s going be a good thing,” adding, “I want to be on the field and do whatever I have to do to be on the field. That requires working hard and doing the little things right and getting shutouts.”

Matt Kassel’s appearance for the Union on Sunday was the first time a Homegrown player faced the team that signed him.

Power rankings! MLS Soccer.com moves the Union up four spots to No. 10. At Soccer America the Union jump four spots to No. 6. It’s a six-spot jump to No. 6 at ESPN. At SI, it’s a another six spot jump—to No. 5.

Here’s the segment on the Sons of Ben that was part of the debut of new MLS Insider show on NBCSN:

Local

Ocean City Nor’easters dropped their home opener on Sunday, falling 2-0 to Jersey Express. With the win, the Express are top of the Mid Atlantic Division of the PDL Eastern Conference, having played one more game than second place Reading and two more games than third place Ocean City. Reading United are on the road to Westchester Flames on Wednesday before hosting Jersey Express on Sunday. Ocean City continue their home stand on Sunday when they host Central Jersey Spartans.

The US Soccer Development Academy playoffs began on Monday in Frisco, Texas. In the U-17/18 playoffs are PA Classics and PDA. In the U-15/16 playoffs are PA Classics, PDA and FC DELCO.

MLS

Beginning Saturday, July 6, John Strong, formerly the voice of the Portland Timbers, will call all MLS games on NBC.

Following their 3-0 win over Colorado on Sunday, Portland’s unbeaten streak now stands at 15 games, the fourth longest unbeaten streak in league history.

Park Ji-sung says a move to MLS interests him.

NWSL

In the weekend’s NWSL action, first place Sky Blue FC and second place Portland Thorns played to a 0-0 draw on Saturday. On Sunday, fourth place FC Kansas City defeated seventh place Washington Spirit 2-0. Third place Western New York tied last place Seattle Reign 1-1.

US

The USMNT U-20s drew 1-1 with France in group play at the U-20 World Cup in Turkey on Monday. More from ESPN, MLSsoccer.com, ASN, Soccer America, Goal.com and ProSoccerTalk.

If they are to have a hope of advancing the the quarterfinals, the US U-20s will have to beat Ghana, described by Avi Creditor as “the USA’s cosmic arch-nemesis” ever since the two countries first met at the senior level in the 2006 World Cup. The two teams meet on Thursday.

Ruperto Vicente, president of the Belize football federation, has told his team ahead of their opening game at Gold Cup against the US, “I call on our national team to not only beat the United States but to humiliate the United States. It is your responsibility. It is your task.”

Elsewhere

In a guest column at the Guardian, Romario says Brazil hosting the 2014 World Cup will only deepen the country’s problems with FIFA the only beneficiary.

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke says, “There is no plan B and I haven’t had any offers from other countries to host the World Cup next year. You can always do more in life, it’s never enough. It’s never enough, but I’m not ashamed about what we are doing. We are doing a lot of good things.”

Also at the Guardian, Owen Gibson writes, “Brazil’s unprecedented success in winning the right to host a World Cup and an Olympics within two years of one another is no longer a cause for pride and celebration but consternation…Far from it being a source of pride for Brazilians, many appear annoyed and embarrassed that their country is investing $13.3bn in staging a World Cup ahead of other priorities.”

SI goes inside the protests at the Confederations Cup.

Italian police raided 18 Serie A clubs on Tuesday morning as part of a money laundering investigation.

Carlos Ancelotti is the new head coach of Real Madrid.

19 Comments

  1. You can kind of tell that that Jack put a lot of pressure on himself to score at the Red Bulls game. It seemed like he wanted it so bad that he either got frustrated easily or he did too much and over thought everything.

  2. Earl Gardner says:

    Yes… please bring Park Ji-sung to the MLS. Aging… yes, but that guy gives his all and is fun to watch. Would love him on the Union

  3. I’d be a shame if he didn’t get called up because of that game. Why?
    1) He is still the co leading scoring at 20. That’s a half season long resume. Why does he need to audition?
    2) He only has gone 2 games without scoring. The 2.5 week bye week has not helped his public perception.
    3) Most importantly, I still think he played well. Every game he doesn’t score, he does more to remind us the criticism that he is “just a poacher” goes away. He still found space, made dangerous runs, and had 2-3 good looks. He was playing against a back line you expected him to pester, and he did. Obviously he is already the type of player you expect to put 1-2 of those chances away, but all strikers miss. The better ones are still dangerous and part of the game even when they dont score.

    • I thought he played well despite his missed opportunities to score, too. 2 great passes to Casey that were nearly assists (the offside in the 3rd min and the Casey shot/LeToux off the post in the 2nd half), great runs throughout the game, played well all 90 min. If anything, he showed he is ready for a bigger challenge. I would be surprised if he is not called up.

  4. What happened to the TV viewing guide for this week? Love that feature, hope it is not going away.

  5. John P. O'Donnell Jr says:

    I’m a little concerned about Jack, I think he forgot that his job is to win games and not score goals. After Hoppenot scored and his teammates gathered to celebrate, Jack just turned and slowly walked back up the field by himself with his head down. I was at the game and his runs led to many opportunities, I get that he was a little snake bit in that game but he played smart and that what helped us win. Be a leader Jack and celebrate with your teammates as we just beat the NJ Pink Cows.

    • He was just pushing himself too hard. It happens. For the first part of the season everything has been going his way, maybe that is beginning to change.
      He’ll learn.

    • Southside Johnny says:

      I’m thinking he was pretty much gassed at that point.

    • I like Jack Mac, so do not take this the wrong way. Read all the transcripts of his interviews over the past 12 months. When they were losing, it was about the rest of the team not playing well and getting him service. They started to win, its about him scoring goals and converting opportunities.
      He’s self centered. Not a bad thing for a striker, but I was and am disappointed in his comments and approach to the media. He’s still young and needs to be more humble and team oriented.
      I am not a hater, I just wish he’d have a slight change in attitude. He is just as important when he doesn’t score as long as he continues to make the runs and open up the rest of the final 3rd for the others.

  6. Love the quote from the Belize coach. “We aren’t just throwing the jerseys onto the field; go play and win.”

  7. *President of the Association, not coach.

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